The prospect of losing players for friendlies created its usual consternation as MLS coaches grappled with the impact of yet another set of ill-advised friendlies.

By Kyle McCarthy

May 24, 2013 9:51:00 AM

1.
How should MLS cope with non-FIFA friendly
dates?: It is a
question that received plenty of consideration this week as coaches
around the league handled requests from various federations to
release players. Some teams – D.C. United and Portland, for example
– denied those overtures for competitive reasons. Others – Los
Angeles, for instance – reluctantly released their players. Galaxy
coach Bruce Arena said the league mandated the departure of his
U.S. internationals and wondered whether such a general policy
should apply at all.

MLS
remains well within its rights to dictate how and when players are
released for non-FIFA dates because it ultimately controls player
contracts within the single entity system. The larger concern for
all of these coaches: striking the right balance between keeping
key players happy (as Arena did by releasing Robbie Keane to play
with the Republic of Ireland) and maintaining a competitive outfit
in their absence.

2.
Is it time to end one of the more boring and needless transfer
rumors in recent memory?: Vancouver striker Kenny Miller once again found
himself linked to former club Rangers this week. Scottish papers
trump up these links without any regard to the club's current
transfer embargo, but the latest scuttlebutt originated after some
not-so-helpful words from ex-Portland striker Kris Boyd suggesting
the move could eventually happen. Miller batted down the
discussions and noted his contract ran through the end of the year.
If Miller then decides to return to Rangers for family (or
sporting) reasons, then the Scottish second division (third tier)
powerhouse will certainly welcome his arrival as it grapples with
the likes of Ayr United and Stenhousemuir.

3.
Chicago fills one void … : The decision to acquire Bakary Soumare from
Philadelphia plugs an Arne Friedrich-sized hole in the Fire back
four. With the ex-German international perhaps on the way out,
Soumare offers a ready-made replacement. He supplies both the
influential presence (though in a different way, of course) and the
pockmarked injury record required to plug the gap left by the
former Hertha BSC stalwart.

4.
...and bails out an Eastern Conference rival in the
process:
Chicago dug the Union out of a significant financial hole by
finally agreeing to terms (an undisclosed amount of allocation
money and a natural second-round SuperDraft pick in 2014) on the
deal. Philadelphia will also carry a portion of Soumare's ample
salary on its books for this year and next (and will curse Peter
Nowak every time that particular number comes up), Union coach John
Hackworth told MLSsoccer.com.

Even with
some of Soumare's wages still on the salary budget (and no swap
would get done without this clause), the Union benefited from the
deal. Soumare's lucrative pact ($350,000 in guaranteed compensation
in 2013, according to MLS Players Union documents) limited
Hackworth's flexibility to operate in the summer transfer window.
His departure expunges a bad contract (by MLS standards only, of
course) and provides an opportunity for Hackworth to further
reshape his roster with a player he sees as a regular first-choice
option going forward.

5.
Houston travels to Kansas City with revenge in
mind: These two
sides bring plenty of passion when they take the field together,
but the Dynamo must increase their quality in the wake of two
consecutive home defeats. The prospect of atoning for the first one
– a streak-snapping 1-0 setback to Sporting a fortnight ago –
provides plenty of incentive for improvement, though Bobby
Boswell's two-match ban presents some defensive
concerns.

Overview:
United coach Ben Olsen did not need to hear Dwayne De Rosario
question why he is watching the ball fly over his head too often.
Those comments just provided another reminder of the fundamental
problems within a group that isn't functioning properly at the
moment.

Overview:
If the Revs want to turn the corner toward a genuine playoff push,
then this match – in the wake of a huge victory at Houston and
against a struggling opponent – is exactly the sort of game they
must find a way to win.

Overview:
Compare and contrast: FCD plans to welcome back David Ferreira,
Andrew Jacobson and George John, while San Jose ponder playing four
forwards at once. The edge in that scenario probably favors the
home side.

Overview:
This game carries more danger than expected for the Rapids given
the increased possibility of a letdown against sputtering Chivas
USA, but the home side can sidestep the pothole with the proper
level of application.

Overview:
The absence of Bobby Boswell (two-match ban) leaves the Dynamo a
bit short at the back. And that prospect isn't particularly
enticing with the sort of pressure Sporting will exert in the wake
of its confidence-boosting victory at BBVA Compass Stadium two
weeks ago.